SCOTUS Decision Normalizes Anti-Muslim Policies and is Affront to Needs of Refugees Across World

Travel ban on 6-majority Muslim countries to take effect on all refugees except those who fall under family exception

(Chicago, IL - June 26, 2017) Refugees from around the world and nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen will once again face a ban on entrance into the US within 72 hours of this morning’s Supreme Court decision, unless they can show some family or other relationship to a person or organization in the US.

Many of the world’s most vulnerable refugees have no connections in the U.S., but they look to this country as a safe haven from the harm they have suffered in their countries of origin. The Supreme Court’s ruling puts their lives in jeopardy and denies safety to millions.

“Today the Supreme Court enables the White House’s hateful and discriminatory agenda,” said Lawrence Benito, chief executive officer of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. “The ruling threatens a core aspect of our national identity and seeks to normalize anti-Muslim discrimination in America. We will not let this happen. We support our Muslim brothers and sisters, and all refugees seeking a new home in the United States. Everyone deserves to live in peace, and our friends and allies will not stand down.”

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is a statewide coalition of more than 130 organizations dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society. For more information, visit www.icirr.org.

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ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.